Dosing timer and dispensers using the same

ABSTRACT

A timing device is integrated into a pour cap to visually indicate when a dose has been dispensed from the container. The timing device may be secured to either the pour cap or the container and timing is configurable based on a product being dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dispensing systems and moreparticularly to a dosing timer for a dispenser device allowing a user toestimate the dispense rate or dosing volume of the dispenser device.

State of the Art

Dispensing devices are used to dispense a various number of products.Typically, a dispensing device—such as a pump, closure, trigger sprayer,or other device—is attached to a container or bottle containing aproduct to be dispensed. The dispensing device facilitates thedispensing of the product from the container or bottle.

In many instances, a user desires to measure the amount of product beingdispensed from a container through the dispensing device. For example,in many laundry care applications, a dispensing device may include a capthat acts as a cup, having graduated markings in the cap so that a usermay measure out a desired amount of product into the cap before pouringthe product into an intended location. While such systems allowestimated measurements, many users complain about the additional messassociated with using the cap in such a manner and prefer a one-handedoperation allowing them to pour or dispense a product directly into thedesired location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to certain embodiments of the invention, an integrated timingdevice or dosing timer, may be integrated with a pour cap or may beintegrated with the associated bottle or container. A timing deviceaccording to embodiments of the invention may include a transparent ortranslucent outer cylinder which may be filled with a fluid or otherproduct that may flow within the timing device to visually represent orcorrespond to a given amount of product being dispensed from thedispensing device. The timing device may include flow channels and/orflow restrictors which may be modified for a particular use such thatthe visible flow of the fluid or flowable material in the timing devicemay be used to measure the output of the dispensing device. The timingdevice may in some embodiments be positioned near the dispensing spoutso that a user may visually monitor the timing device during operation.Fluid flowing into, or out of, the timing device may indicate when adose has been dispensed from the dispensing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention,various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood andappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdescriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary timing device accordingto various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary flow regulator according tovarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary timing device astaken along line 10-10 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the exemplary timing device as takenalong line 11-11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary timing device astaken along line 12-12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 illustrates an arrangement of the exemplary timing mounted withan exemplary pour cap and container;

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate exemplary pouring and timing scenarios showingmovement of the check ball and flow of the timing fluid within thetiming device; and

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate the arrangement of another exemplary timingdevice according to various embodiments of the invention and movement ofthe check ball within the timing device at various pouring angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary timing device 100 according to various embodiments of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-14. An exemplary dispensing systemutilizing the timer 100 may include a container 900 and an associatedpour cap 1000. The pour cap 1000 may include mounting structures forreceiving and holding the timing device 100 wherein the timing device isat least partially visible during use of the dispensing system.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 13-16, according to various embodiments of theinvention, a pour cap 1000 may include a cap base 1002 which may beconnected to or mated with a container 900. For instance, the cap basemay include an inner skirt including inwardly extending threads, bayonetfeatures, snap features, or other features allowing the pour cap to beconnected to an opening or neck 902 of a container 900 having similarfeatures. The exemplary pour cap 1000 and container neck 902 includemating snap beads, but this should not be considered limiting to thedisclosure as noted above.

The cap base 1002 includes a main deck 1004 and a dispensing spout 1006extending upwardly therefrom. A venting tube 1008 may be located withinthe main deck 1004 adjacent the rear portion of the dispensing spoutopening 1006 and may extend into the interior of the cap base 1002. Inother embodiments, the venting tube 1008 may be located at otherlocations depending on the configuration of the cap base 1002 and thesize and orientation of the dispensing spout 1006. A venting orifice1010 is located at the bottom terminal end of the venting tube 1008. Theventing orifice 1010 may be provided by integrally molding the orificeor may be provided by a separate cap fitted over the terminal end of theventing tube 1008. The size of the venting orifice 1010 may be adjustedto determine the venting performance of the pour cap 1000 based onliquids with different viscosities.

A closure or lid (not shown) may also be connected to the cap base 1002by a living hinge, snap retention system or other such retention systemfor enclosing the dispensing spout and other features of the cap duringstorage, transportation and handling.

As best illustrated in FIG. 13, the timing device 100 may be seatedexternally at a rear portion of the cape base. In some exemplaryembodiments, the cap base 1000 may include a recess 1012 into which atiming device 100 may be removably seated, and may include mountingstructures or a mounting tab 1014 onto which the timing device 100 issecured or held in place. The timing device 100 may be advantageouslylocated on the pour cap 1000, directly adjacent to the rear of thedispensing spout 1006 and supported at an angle so that the timingdevice 100 is easily visible to a user during operation or use of thedispensing system. In an exemplary embodiment, the timing device 100 ismounted at a 55° angle behind the dispensing spout 1006 (see FIG. 13).In other embodiments, the timing device 100 may be mounted at an angleranging from 40° to 70°.

Turning back to FIGS. 1-12, an exemplary timing device 100 according tovarious embodiments is illustrated in detail. Timing device 100 mayinclude a transparent or translucent outer cylinder 102 having an openend and a hollow interior space defined by the inner walls of the outercylinder 102. The timing device 100 may further include a flow regulator104 received within the outer cylinder 102 and a flowable material 106,such as a colored fluid received within the interior space of the outercylinder 102. In some embodiments, the flowable material 106 maycomprise a flowable liquid silicone material. Flow regulator 104includes a generally planar, elongate main body portion 108 and an endcap portion 110. Flow regulator 104 may be inserted in the open end ofthe outer cylinder 102 where the end cap portion 110 may seal, or close,the end of the outer cylinder 102 into which it is placed. The innersurface of the outer cylinder 102 may include guide rails 112 whichreceive and orient the flow regulator 104 within the interior of theouter cylinder 102. The outer surface of the end cap portion 110 and theinner surface of the outer cylinder 102 may include complementarysealing ribs to prevent leakage and maintain the end cap 110 assembledwith the outer cylinder 102. The outer surface of the open end of theouter cylinder 102 may include an orientation fin 114 extending radiallyoutward which is perpendicular to the inner guide rails 112 and thusoriented perpendicular to the plane of the main body portion 108 of theflow regulator 104, the purpose of which will become more apparenthereinbelow. Additionally, the terminal end of the outer cylinder 102includes an inward longitudinally extended recess 116 which receives thecorresponding mount tab 1014 within the mounting recess 1012 on the capebase 1002. When the timing device 100 is assembled with the cap base1002, the mating structures interfit to maintain a proper rotationalalignment of the timing device 100 relative to the pour cap 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, the upper portion of the main body 108 of flowregulator 104 may include an upwardly extending curved wall 118 forminga cavity therebeneath. Positioning of flow regulator 104 within theouter cylinder 102 may define a timing reservoir 120 and a storagereservoir 122 separated by the main body portion 108 of the flowregulator 104 and defined by the resting angle of the timing device 100.The timing reservoir 120 is defined in the smaller area above the mainbody 108 while the storage reservoir 122 is below the main body 108. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the timing device 100 is configured andoriented so that the timing fluid 106 normally resides in the storagereservoir 122 in a resting condition and fills the timing reservoir 120during a dispensing cycle. Marking or indicator lines 124 (See FIG. 3)may be provided in association with the timing reservoir 120. In thisregard, some embodiments may include one or more indicator markings 124on the outer cylinder 102 while other embodiments may provide themarkings on the upper surface of the flow regulator. When the consumertilts the bottle 900 and the attached timing device 100, the fluid 106in the timer transfers by gravity from the storage reservoir 122 to thetiming reservoir 120 passing the indicator lines 124, which may, forexample, be labeled as S, M and L designating “small”, “medium” and“large” doses. As the timing fluid meniscus passes the marking lines124, this indicates to the consumer that they have dosed a small mediumor large amount of product from the pour spout 1006.

Flow regulator 100 may include a return flow opening 126 extending fromthe timing reservoir 120 into the storage reservoir 122. The return flowopening 126 may preferably located on the curved wall 118. As can beseen in FIGS. 13-14, the mounting angle and orientation of the timingdevice 100 allows the timing fluid 106 at a resting position to collectin the storage reservoir 122 below the main body portion 108. In thisstatic resting position, the timing fluid 106 is not visible to theuser. As noted above, the timing device 100 is received into a recess1012 in the pour cap 1000, thus partially shrouding the lower portion ofthe timing device 100 and hiding the stored timing fluid 106 from theuser's view. In some embodiments, the timing device 100 may furthercomprise an opaque sleeve (not shown) or other covering or shroudsurrounding the area of the storage reservoir 122. Shrouding of thestorage reservoir 122 provides a more aesthetically pleasingpresentation of the timing sequence where the user will only see thetiming fluid 106 filling the timing reservoir 120 during a dispensingcycle.

A fluid supply opening 128 is defined in the flow regulator 104 adjacentthe terminal end of the main body 108. The supply opening 128 has afluid entrance on the lower surface of the main body 108 and an exit onthe upper surface leading into the timing reservoir 120. One canappreciate that as the container 900 is tipped toward horizontal andbeyond (see FIGS. 14-16), fluid 106 in the storage reservoir 122 willflow towards the terminal end of the main body portion 108 and may flowthrough the supply opening 128 into the timing reservoir 120. Based onthe viscosity of the timing fluid 106, the size of the opening 128, andthe actual pouring angle, the timing fluid 106 will flow through theopening 128 and gradually fill the timing reservoir 120.

In this regard the, pouring angle of the container 900, the amount ofproduct currently in the container 900, the angle of timing device 100,and the size of the opening 128 all cooperate to coordinate simultaneousflow of the product from the spout 1006 with flow of the fluid 106 inthe timing device 100 and to thereby to create a defined measurement ofproduct flow from the container 900 correlated with filing of the timingreservoir 120, or partial filling of the timing reservoir 120, at themarked indications 124 on the outer cylinder 102.

One issue that the exemplary embodiments address is a difference in theamount of dispensed product based on the amount of product left in thecontainer 900. When the container 900 is full and tipped for dispensing,the product has a higher head pressure and thus flow faster. As productis dispensed, the head pressure with each further dispensing cyclelessens and the product flows more slowly. Since the timing device 100has a fixed amount of timing fluid, the timing cycle is fairlyconsistent in the amount of time it takes to fill the timing reservoir120 during a dispensing cycle. The noted difference in product headpressure thus reduces the amount of product dispensed with each cycle,i.e. same timing but less product dispensed because of less headpressure.

In order to provide a more consistent product dispensing volumeregardless of container volume, the timing device 100 may furtherinclude a variable flow restrictor, which in the exemplary embodimentcomprises a check ball 130 that rolls within the storage reservoir 122to variably change the flow through the supply opening 128. Movement ofthe check ball 130 is guided by an angled ramp 132 within the storagereservoir 230 adjacent the fluid supply hole 128. The ramp 132 may beformed as part of the internal wall of the outer cylinder 102.Additionally, longitudinally extending shoulder walls 134 projectdownwardly from the bottom surface of the main body portion 108. Arearward portion of the shoulder walls 134 run parallel to the innersurface of the outer cylinder 102 and then taper upwardly toward thesupply opening 128 paralleling the angled ramp 132. The ramp 132 andshoulder walls 134 thus form lower and upper guide boundaries for thecheck ball 130. The check ball 130 is further guided on its sides bysymmetrical spaced guide walls 136 extending downwardly from the bottomsurface of the main body portion 108 beneath the timing reservoir 120 atleast partially towards the inner surface of the outer cylinder butleaving a space therebetween for movement of the timing fluid 106. Thecheck ball 130 is retained at the rearward end of the guide structuresby a separate retention post 138 extending downward from the main bodyportion between the spaced guide walls 136.

The check ball 130 is sized proportionally to the fluid supply hole 128,i.e. slightly larger so that the ball 130 may seat itself adjacent thesupply hole 128 when the timing device 100 is fully tipped and create aflow restriction without fully blocking the supply hole 128. At theterminal end of the timing device, there is a plateau shelf 140 whichruns parallel to the bottom surface of the main body portion 108immediately adjacent to the supply hole 128. A downwardly turned lip 142at the terminal end of the main body portion cooperates with the shelf140, and side walls 136 and forms a seat 144 which, as noted above,allows the check ball 130 to rest slightly off center below the supplyhole 128 and create a flow restriction without fully blocking the supplyhole 128. The ball 130 and guide structures (ramp 132, shoulder walls134, side walls 136) generally create flow restrictions within thestorage reservoir 122 and slow the flow of timing fluid 106 into thetiming reservoir 120 when only partially tipped past horizontal. Whenfully tipped, the check ball 130 rides up the ramp 132 to seat itselfadjacent to the opening 128, partially blocking fluid flow into thetiming reservoir 120 and further extending to pouring cycle.

Several dispensing/timing cycle scenarios are illustrated in FIGS.14-16. FIG. 14 illustrates the normal resting position of the timingdevice 100. The timing fluid 106 resides within the storage reservoir122 beneath the main body 108 and the check ball 130 sits in the lowerportion thereof due to gravity. FIG. 15 illustrates an interimdispensing angle where product is flowing but the check ball 130 has notyet had time to reach the terminal end seat 144 of the timing device100. The rearward end of the ramp 132 may “catch” the check ball 130before it begins to ascend the ramp. In this position, the check ball130 does not yet interfere with flow of the timing fluid 106. FIG. 16illustrates a steeper dispensing angle just past horizontal where thecheck ball 130 is fully seated in the plateau shelf 140 at the top ofthe ramp 132 adjacent to the supply opening 128. In this position, thecheck ball 130 will significantly slow the flow of timing fluid 106through the opening 128 extending the filling time of the timingreservoir 120. As can now be appreciated, as the volume of product inthe container 900 decreases, the time to fill the timing reservoir 120will gradually lengthen and allow more product to be dispensed.

Turing back to FIGS. 13 and 14, when the container 900 is returned tothe resting position, the timing fluid 106 flows up and over an angledwall portion 146 and enters into the return flow opening 126disappearing back into the storage reservoir 122.

Another exemplary timing device 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. Thetiming device 200 may similarly include a similar transparent ortranslucent outer cylinder 202 as previously described hereinabove witha flow regulator 204 received within the outer cylinder 202 and aflowable material 206, such as a colored fluid received within the outercylinder 202. In some embodiments, the flowable material 206 maycomprise a flowable liquid silicone material.

Flow regulator 204 is similar to the embodiment 104 describedhereinabove with the exception of the guide structures for the checkball 230. The flow regulator 204 includes a generally planar, elongatemain body portion 208 and an end cap portion (not shown). Flow regulator204 may be inserted into the outer cylinder 202 as noted above where theend cap portion may seal, or close, the end of the outer cylinder intowhich it is placed. The outer surface of the end cap portion and theinner surface of the outer cylinder 202 may include complementarysealing ribs to prevent leakage and maintain the end cap assembled withthe outer cylinder 202.

The upper portion of the main body 208 of flow regulator may include anupwardly extending curved wall 218 forming a cavity therebeneath. Theinner surface of the outer cylinder 202 may include guide rails (notshown) which receive the main body as described above and orient theflow regulator 204 within the interior of the outer cylinder 202.

Positioning of flow regulator 204 within the outer cylinder 202 maydefine a timing reservoir 220 and a storage reservoir 222 separated bythe main body portion 208 of the flow regulator 204 and defined by theresting angle of the timing device 200. The timing reservoir 220 isdefined in the smaller area above the main body 208 while the storagereservoir 222 defined is below the main body 208.

Flow regulator 204 may include a return flow opening 226 extending fromthe timing reservoir 220 into the storage reservoir 222.

A fluid supply opening 228 is defined in the flow regulator 204 adjacentthe terminal end of the main body 208. The supply opening 228 has afluid entrance on the lower surface of the main body 208 and an exit onthe upper surface leading into the timing reservoir 220.

Like the above embodiment 100, the present exemplary embodimentcomprises a check ball 230 captured in storage reservoir 222 in thespace beneath the timing reservoir 220.

Movement of the check ball 230 is guided by a stepped ramp 232 withinthe storage reservoir 222 adjacent the fluid supply hole 228. Thestepped ramp 232 in this exemplary embodiment may be formed as part ofthe flow regulator structure 204 and includes an initial step shoulder250 at the lower end of the ramp 232 forming an initial catch point. Theramp 232 has a lower plateau area 252 and an intermediate steeperinclined area 254 which effectively forms a second catch point closer tothe supply opening 228. The flow regulator 204 notably lacks the earlierdescribed upper guide shoulders. The check ball 230 is guided on itssides by symmetrical spaced guide walls 236 extending downwardly fromthe bottom surface of the main body portion 208.

At the terminal end of the ramp 232, there is an upper plateau shelf 256which runs parallel to the bottom surface of the main body portion 208immediately adjacent to the supply hole 228. A downwardly turned end ofthe main body portion 208 cooperates with the upper shelf 256, and sidewalls 236 and forms a seat 258 which, as noted above, allows the checkball 230 to rest slightly off center below the supply hole 228 andcreate a flow restriction without fully blocking the supply hole 228.The check ball 230 and guide structures (ramp 232, walls 236) generallycreate flow restrictions within the storage reservoir 222 and slow theflow of timing fluid 206 into the timing reservoir 220 when onlypartially tipped past horizontal. When fully tipped, the check ball 230rides up the ramp 232 to seat itself adjacent to the opening 228,partially blocking fluid flow into the timing reservoir 220 and furtherextending to pouring cycle.

The ball 230 is retained at the rearward end of the guide structures bya retention post 238 extending downward from the main body portion 208between the spaced guide walls 236.

Several dispensing/timing cycle scenarios are illustrated in FIGS.17-20. FIG. 17 illustrates a first interim dispensing angle whereproduct is flowing but the check ball 230 is initially caught at thefirst step shoulder 250 of the ramp 232. In this position, the checkball 230 only begins to partially interfere with flow of the timingfluid 206. FIG. 18 illustrates a second interim dispensing positionwhere product is flowing but the check ball 230 is caught at theintermediate lower plateau 252 and incline 254 of the ramp 232. In thisposition, the check ball 230 narrows the flow area and furtherinterferes with flow of the timing fluid 206. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustratesteeper dispensing angles where the check ball 230 is fully seated inthe plateau shelf 256 at the top of the ramp 252 adjacent to the supplyopening 228. In this position, the check ball 230 will significantlyslow the flow of timing fluid 206 through the opening 228 extending thefilling time of the timing reservoir 220. As can now be appreciated, asthe volume of product in the container 900 decreases, the time to fillthe timing reservoir 220 will gradually lengthen and allow more productto be dispensed.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described withrespect to a fluid contained in the timing device, it is understood thatother embodiments may utilize other flowable fluids or dry flowablematerials, such as powder or granules. In various embodiments, a fluidor flowable material may be colored to offer a contrast to make iteasier for a user to visualize the flow in the timing device.

Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention,it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims isnot to be limited by particular details set forth in the abovedescription, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated.Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, whichinclude within their scope all equivalent devices or methods whichoperate according to the principles of the invention as described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A timing device for metering a flowable productdispensed from a dispensing system including a pour cap with a spout,the timing device comprising: a transparent or translucent outercylinder; a flow regulator within the outer cylinder; a timing fluidcontained within the timing device, said flow regulator and said outercylinder defining a storage reservoir and a timing reservoir, said flowregulator including a supply opening between the storage reservoir andthe timing reservoir and a return opening between the timing reservoirand the storage reservoir; a check ball movable within the storagereservoir; a ramp on an inner wall of said outer cylinder adjacent tosaid supply opening in said flow regulator; shoulder walls extendingdownwardly from said flow regulator adjacent said supply opening whereina rearward portion of the shoulder walls run parallel to the innersurface of the outer cylinder and then taper upwardly toward the supplyopening paralleling the ramp; parallel spaced guide walls extendingdownwardly from the flow regulator; and a retention post extendingdownward from the flow regulator portion between the spaced guide walls;said ramp, said shoulder wall, said guide walls, and said retention postforming a guideway for movement of the check ball within the storagereservoir to at least partially restrict flow from the storage reservoirinto the timing reservoir when the timing device is tilted to adispensing angle.
 2. The timing device of claim 1 wherein the timingfluid comprises a colored fluid.
 3. The timing device of claim 1 whereinthe storage reservoir is defined beneath the flow regulator and thetiming reservoir is defined above the flow regulator.
 4. The timingdevice of claim 1 wherein the storage reservoir is filled with saidtiming fluid and said timing reservoir is void of said timing fluid whensaid timing device is at a resting position.
 5. The timing device ofclaim 4 wherein said timing fluid flows from said storage reservoir intosaid timing reservoir when said timing device is tilted to a pouringangle.
 6. The timing device of claim 1 further comprising markingindicators visible relative to said timing reservoir.
 7. The timingdevice of claim 2 further comprising marking indicators visible relativeto said timing reservoir.
 8. The timing device of claim 6 wherein saidmarking indicators are on said outer cylinder.
 9. The timing device ofclaim 2 wherein said marking indicators are on said outer cylinder. 10.A timing device for metering a flowable product dispensed from adispensing system including a pour cap with a spout, the timing devicecomprising: a transparent or translucent outer cylinder; a flowregulator within the outer cylinder; a timing fluid contained within thetiming device, said flow regulator and said outer cylinder defining astorage reservoir and a timing reservoir, said flow regulator includinga supply opening between the storage reservoir and the timing reservoirand a return opening between the timing reservoir and the storagereservoir; a check ball movable within the storage reservoir; a ramp onan inner wall of said outer cylinder adjacent to said supply opening insaid flow regulator, said ramp including an initial step shoulder at alower end of the ramp, a lower plateau area, an intermediate inclinedarea, and an upper plateau shelf at an upper end of the ramp whichextends parallel to a bottom surface of the flow regulator adjacent tothe supply opening; parallel spaced guide walls extending downwardlyfrom the flow regulator; and a retention post extending downward fromthe flow regulator portion between the spaced guide walls; said ramp,said guide walls, and said retention post forming a guideway formovement of the check ball within the storage reservoir to at leastpartially restrict flow from the storage reservoir into the timingreservoir when the timing device is tilted to a dispensing angle. 11.The timing device of claim 10 wherein the timing fluid comprises acolored fluid.
 12. The timing device of claim 10 wherein the storagereservoir is defined beneath the flow regulator and the timing reservoiris defined above the flow regulator.
 13. The timing device of claim 12wherein the storage reservoir is filled with said timing fluid and saidtiming reservoir is void of said timing fluid when said timing device isat a resting position.
 14. The timing device of claim 13 wherein saidtiming fluid flows from said storage reservoir into said timingreservoir when said timing device is tilted to a pouring angle.
 15. Thetiming device of claim 10 further comprising marking indicators visiblerelative to said timing reservoir.
 16. The timing device of claim 11further comprising marking indicators visible relative to said timingreservoir.
 17. The timing device of claim 15 wherein said markingindicators are on said outer cylinder.
 18. The timing device of claim 11wherein said marking indicators are on said outer cylinder.